notables over. you will be doing then presumably with the clintons. how did that come about? >> i guess it came about because iowans want to know that their presidential aspirants like to have a good steak. i guess that is it, more than anything else. it became a photo op. we have had a lot of the same grillers or years. -- for years. aople get to come over, turn couple of steaks, and talk to some of the people grilling mistakes. we had martin o'malley. the names are coming back to me. arnaud malley spoke -- martin o'malley spoke at the steak fry. we had brian schweitzer, who was governor of montana. paul wellstone spoke at one of my steak frys. more and more people come to mind.

chris headed you get bill and did you get> how bill and hillary clinton this year? >> i put in a request to hillary. i spoke with her personally some time ago. she was finishing her book and going to go on her book tour. she said, i don't know what that is going to be like and how that is going to transpire. i would really like to do it. can you give me some time, figure out what my schedule is going to be like? i saw bill in california at a health-care event. , and ofll clinton course we started commiserating about this and that. as he was walking -- he was signing some of his books for some people in a little room, and there were just two of us. i told him i had invited hillary to speak at my steak fry. as he turned to walk away, i too. you should come

he said, both of us? we have been great friends all these years. said, thinkuple, i about that. he said, i will. it has been a great honor to have them out. they have been good friends of ours all these years. hillary have provided great leadership for our country in the past -- bill and hillary have provided great leadership for our country in the past. i served under take kennedy with hillary clinton all the time she was in the senate. i think she did an outstanding job as our secretary of state. i have traveled around the world .he last few years it is amazing how the stature that hillary clinton has globally among women and girls all over this globe -- she has kind of lit a fire among women

and girls in different countries around the world. they hold her in very, very high esteem. >> is she running for president? >> ask her. i don't know. >> do you think she is going to run? >> honestly, i don't know. i have got to believe this weighs heavily on her mind. , i believef she runs that she will be the nominee, and i believe she will win if she runs. want to doe really that? i know they are about to have their first grandchild. i have talked about that too. and i know what my grandkids mean to me and ruth now. it is life changing. and i think she is going to have to really think about this, if that is what she wants to do. so i have got to believe it is going to be a very tough decision for her. >> but the fact that she is coming to iowa leads to a lot of speculation. >> i know that, and we talked

about that on the phone. i said, look. it is 2014. fry. sort of my last steak and we need to -- you and bill can come out and really energize democrats. we want to get out the vote. i desperately want bruce braley to succeed me in this seat. he is a great congressman, a great progressive, and i think this will give some spark to that campaign, and for our gubernatorial candidate jack atch, who is running. i think they will energize thisbody for a major push fall. the steak fry has always been the fall spark to get everybody motivated, get them doing things. that is why i think -- that is sort of why they are coming. way think this is anything where hillary is going to announce anything or do

anything other than urged democrats to support bruce braley and/or ticket -- and our ticket. i hope she says some nice things about me. but just to have them both they are -- they are just good friends. you, what arer your thoughts? >> am i going to miss this? of course. i have been doing this 40 years. i love my job. i love the senate. with all the dysfunctions that seem to be going on, the senate is still a great place. you can still get good things done. in the last two years, i have gotten 16 bills through, signed by the president. you can work across the aisle. we just got the workforce investment and opportunity act. i spent five years working on that as chairman. we got it through. passed the house, passed the senate, signed by the president. we are getting our workforce upgraded in this country for the

new skills, the new jobs of the future. challenger diploma block grants. i have been active the last few years in getting legislation through. i am going to miss it. but i think we all have to take stock of ourselves and at some point say, look, you know, i have been there, done that. i still have my health. and regardless of what my political opponents say, i still have some mental faculties left. and what i would like to do is sort of narrow my focus down. with the harkin institute of public policy -- i am leaving all my papers there. and i hope to be involved there, to make that institute the amir institute on disability policy, disability law, and disability studies in the united states. , more thand on that raising money for my elections and things like that. i am looking forward to that phase of my life.

>> senator tom harkin, thank you. >> thanks, steve. >> our conversation last week. he is with former president bill clinton. let's listen in. >> the mayor of atlantic city is a very good guy. back from an economic talk. [indiscernible] i think he can do what needs to be done. [indiscernible] >> the secret service shows up, --rything goes to

>> everyone in the world can see it. the largest group. take several tribal groups. they did not want to put [indiscernible] happeninghat is [indiscernible] >> got more done over four years. i am just telling you. look at his record. his record in the senate. as politician -- >> you are asking the wrong person. >> got to go have a veggie burger. >> thank you guys. >> come on.

>> i won it twice. >> eat the food, yay! >> a virginia progressive -- [indiscernible] >> how are you leaning? >> thanks. [indiscernible] >> will you sign this newspaper? [indiscernible] >> come on, yet bill out -- get bill out. >> they are ready to go as soon as she makes the decision. >> thank you. thank you for moving.

>> i am waiting. >> thanks, guys. >> thank you, appreciate it. thank you. >> hello, how are you. thanks. >> good to see you. >> how are you? >> good. how are you? >> great. >> the third district is one of the few the democrats could pick up. any thoughts on what they could do to do that? >> they could start by telling their stories. you know, people [indiscernible] what can be done? >> do you think he is going to pull it off? >> thanks, guys. [laughter] >> we have not had a real race in a while. >> is money threatening

politics? >> it is threatening it everywhere. it is the way it is. the supreme court decided it is ok. >> he was a good driver, wasn't he? ande was a good congressman good with a grill. i think we have a chance to really grill here. it just depends who shows up. >> thanks, guys. >> which is more important, polling data or baby names? >> what is a baby name? or polls -- i do not have much influence over either one. >> how are you? >> good to see you. >> former president bill clinton at the iowa steak fry, meeting with supporters and shaking hands at a different location from the main speaking program, which is underway. some state and local officials.

our phone lines are open. (202) 737-0001 four democrats and (202) 737-0002 four republicans. >> 42% of companies have bought up governors when they try to shut them down. if we are in trouble and they get over a 60% majority, it will shut down most people's businesses and take everything overburden the law of protecting what is yours, wealthy or poor. we will be in serious trouble if companies take over. fromr next caller is kay fort dodge, iowa. are you with us? we will go next to ernest, from jennings, iowa. >> good afternoon. >> you are on the air.

go ahead. campaign, i the would say, as far as the person that can be both a democrat, republican, and independent, the closest one i can come to would be hillary clinton. >> why is that? >> she is strong. she is independent. she is willing to take the people's's message to the country and the world. and she is affiliated with a lot of good people. and her willingness to do hard work is just part of her nature. i would like to say i will cast my vote for her, because i know she will do good work. and i hope you understand what i just said. and cast my vote for her when the times comes -- the time comes. >> jenny is next, our line for democrats. good afternoon. where are you phoning from?

>> the big island of hawaii. aloha. i am calling because i am kind of curious, with bernie sander'' insinuation he might be running, how c-span perceives that as competition against hillary clinton? hillary clinton, to me -- i am a strong liberal democrat. womansupport hillary as a . and she intrigues me. what she does not really fall in line with the more liberal side of democrats. bernie sanders, being an independent, i think does. how that is going to impact the race, if he does decide to get anyway, i just wanted to throw that out there. i am kind of wondering if c-span is going to cover that, bernie sanders in iowa today. >> thanks for the call. we are not covering him today. we did cover senator sanders earlier this month, when he was

in new hampshire speaking to the afl-cio. you can watch that any time online at c-span.org. you can follow senator sanders and other candidates as they travel to early primary and talk to states. at the harkin steak fry, the pre-program is underway. they will take a short break, and then the main event with former president bill clinton and hillary clinton, joined by senator harkin and his wife ruth. our caller is from lakeview, arkansas. >> i am in bonita springs. miss bill clinton in arkansas, and we miss hillary. decided tohas even run, i put it on the van, hillary. we love both of them, and we certainly hope the democrats will take over, because we are sick of all that stuff republicans do to poor people,

to working people, to people who need obamacare. , wish i were there with y'all having a vegetarian meal. >> you heard president clinton talked a little bit of arkansas politics with senator mark pryor. he is in a tough reelection battle. both clintons expected to campaign in arkansas for mark royer. george is joining us from belfry, kentucky. republican line. good afternoon. >> i would support hillary. i am, as i said, republican, what i look around and see what the republicans are doing to not only our state, but our nation. i would also prefer to see bernie sanders run. he would have my vote. i am about to change parties, as a matter of fact, from republican to democrat. >> why the party change? at what thend

republican majority has done to our nation as a whole. our roads are falling apart. they fought the affordable care act. how many times, 50 sometimes, they tried to destroy that. and it is a good thing. wars, constantly wanting to go to war -- we are fed up with this. limary is next, from east e, connecticut. >> how are you? i have a question for hillary. it seems like the woman's -- hast has backed away been backed away from. i am wondering if she would fight for it. because i know that it is a lot of people seem to run over women now. ,or innocence, like in colorado a lady was put in jail for servedng, and she has her sentence and now is

someplace else, and she is diabetic, and they won't give her her insulin. so there is a lot of people out there, a lot of women who are being run over by politicians and things like that. and i wonder how hillary is going to handle that. he cause she is a woman, will she stand up and fight for women's rights again? >> you are seeing a lot of "ready for hillary" signs in the crowd, along with signs for state candidates. roos braley is running for the seat now held by senator tom harkin -- bruce braley is running for the seat now held by senator tom harkin. ready for hillary is in place on college campuses. they will be traveling to about a dozen colleges and universities in iowa to try to gin up support among the younger voter in preparation for a potential bid by the former secretary of state. george is in florida on our line for independents.

>> i think it is premature to say hillary will win that race or the general. but romney seems to be giving serious consideration to entering the race. he says that circumstances can change. whole numbers show he has a heavy advantage over the rest of the republican field. he has a huge war chest, and we know he has a gigantic. [profanity]. >> the republicans have a total disrespect for the office of obama. you hear on fox news mostly, where they just call him obama, and he is supposed to be called mr. president, but they almost never want to use it. they are all trying to find a way to always go to war, fight some 30,000 people. we can fight those people with robots alone and keep them in place. i don't know why there is a constant talk, we want to go to

war. we want to call it something else. ?hy not let robots do the work after a year of having these things above your head, these people would get tired of it, and quit and do something else. to republicans want to go work constantly. it is driving me nuts. >> arnold is in denton, north carolina. republican line. >> i would like to ask hillary a question about benghazi and all the beheadings that are taking place now. how would she defend our country against take the stance all the things that are going on overseas right now? we have people dying in the united states every day that are isil, that are right now taking lives in the

united states. and i would like to know how, as president, she would try to defend this, or what approach it ?ould take toward it and would she call this a war, or would she do like obama, go from one message to another, and not take a stand? so many things that is transpiring right now in this situation. and i think it is very important . --are becoming a country of we do not stand up for what we believe in. and we need more people to stand up. that is the reason i am a republican. but i would like to see hillary, you know, come out and make a good statement, besides what she said about benghazi. what difference does it make? bucket,are passing the another part of the fundraiser for the iowa democratic artie

and senator tom harkin -- democratic party and senator tom harkin. pete, you are on the air. it's the reason i am calling is how are democrats going to be fooled by the democrats? we had all the years with what he did for the working people and the poor -- nothing. obama, what happened? and nothing. the democratic party does not represent us. we need another voice in there. i am going to vote for bernie sanders. thank you. >> let's go next to william in baltimore, democrats line. wondering, how would hillary -- the first woman for the presidency, but how would her administration affect how they do things?

politics, about hard the things we do in our country to affect on things like isis and terror threats. >> thanks for the call. wisconsin,sparta, republican line. >> i am watching c-span and i see the crowd out there. few, uh, little brown women pushing around babies over there. in my community, that is what we see. they are anchor babies, and they are conspicuously not involved in this gathering for hillary clinton. i am kind of wondering, why is that? bj, in dryden, texas, republican. >> i see the beautiful green grass in iowa. what a beautiful state. we are getting a bit of rain out

here, so hopefully we will get some green grass. no more clintons. no more bushes. old, same the same old. we have a lot of wonderful americans out there, and a lot of strong people that work for the country. america first, head of the theies, before constitution. with the foundation and bill still alive -- he looks very ill. i am sorry. i am thrilled they are going to be grandparents. i am sure she could do a lot of good for the world and women everywhere if she would devote herself to the foundation. i wish you would stop dividing along party lines. although i am a conservative, and you could put that in all caps, and i am not getting paid to give my opinion today -- that on the east coast, north and south on the east coast, the central thing, and whatever -- and thank you, steve, for working on sunday.

>> jerome, in columbus, ohio. should getjoe biden in there and start running for president in 2016. he has spent eight years in the white house. then in the senate since he was 29 years old. he has what it takes to be the president of the united states. he should get in there and challenge hillary clinton. >> he will be in iowa on wednesday in fact. >> is that right? i did not know that. that will be great. >> we are joined from florida. >> it is pretty funny, passing around the bucket, like the money there is going to make a difference in this coming election. i am a democrat and a feminist, which is to say i stand up for women. at the same time, i don't want hillary, because she is going to be another warmongering centrist. and i remember watching c-span at least twice when the topic

was about bernie sanders. the person says, that is ridiculous. he does not have a chance. and that is the end of the discussion. i think you need to have him on. bring out these voices. if you are going to let ted cruz babble,nd let ron paul at least bring on bernie sanders and let him show how his probablyis the same as 80%, on average, of democrats and republicans. >> i will let you stop there. we are going to listen in, because former governor tom vill lsack is on hand, along with his wife. >> every single day, for the least among us, for the folks who have had no voice, for the ,eople who needed a champion laboring folks who work every single day for their families -- we have had that in tom harkin,

and we are here today to thank him from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has done to make america a great country. [applause] elections are not always about the past and the present. they are definitely about the future. that is why i asked for the opportunity to speak today. i want everyone here today to understand precisely what is on the ballot. you will hear candidates. you will hear names. the hopes, is, dreams, and aspirations of all of us are on that ballot. we need a democratic legislature to make sure that our values are extended and protected throughout the state. [applause] we need a secretary of state who is going to make sure that everyone's vote counts, and that

everybody gets a chance to vote. [applause] we need people in the attorney general's office, the treasurer's office, the auditor's office, that are all about a fair shake, making sure they protect us, and sure money is being well spent. our money is being well spent. they deserve our vote, our help, and our assistance. governor who understands and appreciates all of your hopes, dreams, and aspirations. we need a governor who understands the minimum wage needs to be raised, not lowered, who believes in investing in early childhood, in expanding access to health care, who understands it is all about good

quality paying jobs, not handouts to business. we need jack hatch and monica vernon in the governor and lieutenant governor's office. and all of you are here from the great state of iowa, and i know there are folks from other states. we would like your help, your assistance. but those who are here from our great state -- you have the power and capacity to change this election, to make sure it is an election for democrats. you have the ability to talk to your friends and neighbors. explain the importance of this election and make sure they vote. i know this from my own experience. when we get the vote out, we win. [applause] and last but certainly not least , we need those who represent us in the halls of congress and the

united states senate to also reflect our values. the greatest gift we can give to tom harkin, the greatest thank you we can extend to the harkin family, is not just coming today . is not giving our applause. is not thanking them for what they have done. but ensuring their work continues by electing democrats to the congress, and electing a democrat to the united states senate. a womanme that we put in congress. it is time that we break the glass ceiling. el getsime that staci app elected. jim howard tells steve king to go back to western iowa and stay there. [applause] and it is time for a great champion to follow bruce braley

in that district, by electing pat murphy. we know he stands with us. [applause] but one of the most important elections, not just in this this's history, but in country's history, is right here in iowa, for the united states senate. if we truly want tom harkin's people with disabilities, his concern for farmers, his desire to make sure laboring people get a fair shake, protecting a woman's right to choose -- if we are truly interested in making sure that legacy continues, air is only one candidate you can vote for, and that is bruce braley. [applause] today, you leave here commit to yourself and to your family and to your friends that

you will do everything in the next 50 days -- you will talk to every friend and neighbor. you will ensure that no one who wants to vote does not get to the polls. you are going to do everything you possibly can to ensure a better and brighter future for this great state and for the united states of america. and there is only one way to do it, iowa. that is voting democrat. thank you, and god bless you. [applause] ♪ ♪ stones]me up," rolling

rolling stones] yo

>> you are looking at live coverage from the 37th and final harkin steak fry. another break in the program there, we are told shortly that the senator, his roof, and former presidents bill and hillary clinton will enter the stage. a short while ago they made an unannounced stop to meet with supporters along the rope line. let's listen in to what happened. [laughter] >> what would it be like to not participate? >> it will feel good to be there.

i'm going to have a good time. maybe they might make some veggie burgers form a. this is the fourth time i've been here. >> we are having it here. >> and for another campaign? being here? [indiscernible] >> i'm gone after it quite a bit. >> you should try to call liz. >> with your phone. >> hey, how are you. >> right here?

>> that's how they support democrats. we will do everything we can with tickets. >> go right ahead here. >> we need to call liz. >> can you tell liz and john? [laughter] [indiscernible] >> well, it's full. >> i'm actually on pins and needles. beat around all of this meet without imbibing? >> i know, but he's done great ever since he's had to change his diet. i, however, instill the mediator. some iowa to go enjoy

beef. great to see you all. >> what will you be doing during the midterm to help democrats win? >> we will be making the case as best we can across the country. were is so much at stake and will have more to say in just a few minutes. >> will you be coming back to iowa again? >> we will be doing what we can. thank you. this whole event here. the records, the commitment to values. >> a good candidate. >> you guys are coming back? [indiscernible]

>> from a short while ago, live coverage from ohio as the harkins and clinton's prepared to address the cloud at the 30's -- the crowd at the 37th harkin steak fry. ♪ music]y

♪ [country music] [cheering and applause]

♪ applause]d >> ladies and gentlemen, please

welcome congressman dave low check, next senator from the raley, tomwa, bruce and ruth harkin. guests, the 42nd president of the united states, bill clinton, and hillary clinton. [cheers and applause] town, brucesmall springsteen] ♪

[cheers and applause]

>> please rise and join the coming legion, post 562, in reciting the pledge of allegiance. >> uncover. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [applause]

>> please, remain standing for the national anthem, sung by susan vaas. oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the parallels to fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the

brave ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please .elcome ruth harkin >> thank you, ruth. >> thank you. and welcome. take you for joining us today for the 37th steak fry. as many of you know, it all began with a couple of dozen people grilling steaks on a hillside on the kiernan farm. we were just having fun and talking politics. knowyou know, i don't about you guys, but i can't think of anyone i would rather talk politics with than hillary and bill clinton.

[applause] let me just say in all sincerity how grateful we are to all of you. as we have traveled every corner of the state over the years, what always kept us going, and what is going to keep bruce braley, jack hatch, dave loeb sect, and all of our other great candidates going, is all of you. while it is fun to remember all the steak fries we have had, and we have had some doozies, haven't we? to keep one thing in mind. our future. as the old saying goes, it's great to look back, but don't stare.

keep moving. please, whatever you do, stay involved. of progress inot my lifetime, but we need more. that is why i keep supporting democratic candidates. too much is at stake not to keep moving this state and our country forward. [applause] tom may be leaving the u.s. senate, but he will keep right on working. i am so proud of our partnership with drake university. [applause] the harkin institute is going to bring exciting public policy and best practices into the

spotlight for many years. we are excited to bring the next phase of service to iowa by working with the institute. [applause] now, you know that our daughters, amy and jenny, were born into politics. they have joined us in numerous parades, steak fries, you name it, they have been there. they are here with us today. so, please welcome our family. first, jenny harkin. she is with our grand dog, ollie. [applause] our grandson, mcquay [applause] our grand daughter, daisy [applause] another grandson, luke [applause] and amy and her husband, steve. [applause]

but i know that tom is chomping at the bit to get up here by the mike. is our pleasure to welcome grandpa, father, husband, and lifelong champion of opportunity, equality, and security for all, our u.s. senator, tom harkin. [laughter] [applause] [applause] >> all right, here we go. >> i see a few guys. >> thank you, guys.

[applause] >> thanks. well. welcome, everyone. [applause] 37th steak fry. imagine, 37 steak fries and we haven't tried the steak yet. the grillers always wanted to talk about that. know that iou to have a better winning streak than 40 years. in the congress. i have love -- of love and partnership with a wonderful woman by the name of ruth harkin. [applause]

go on, get up, ruth. of course, all of you know the story, but what the hack, i will say it again. better me saying it than someone else. we both ran for office together in 1972. i ran for congress. ruth ran for county attorney. the best politician one. [laughter] i'll give you a hint, it wasn't me. countys the only woman attorney in iowa and the only democrat in the story county courthouse. [applause] she actually did so well at that job that when i ran two years later, a lot of people were saying -- well, you know, if she's that good, he can't be all

that bad. [laughter] that's how i got elected. after serving as county attorney, she left a great legacy. here it is. before she was county attorney there had never, never been the democratic county attorney in the county. she left there has never been a republican county attorney. [applause] ruth went on to have a distinguished career to head the overseas private investment corporation. [applause] through it all, a great mother to our two daughters, now a wonderful grandmother to our three grandchildren. thishat a hell of a crowd is.

this is great. my gosh. sarah palin said it is so good that she can see you all in alaska today. [laughter] [applause] to think, you all came here just to see me. [cheers and applause] [laughter] no, wait a minute. who am i kidding? isn't it wonderful, a joy and an honor, to have president clinton and hillary clinton here for this steak fry. [applause] we have always thought of these steak fries as a sort of gathering of the democratic plans around the state of iowa. energizing as for the election. it is kind of like a big family. over the years, both bill and

hillary have become a part of our iowa democratic family. [applause] they have been in our homes, broken bread with us, they have .een our inspiration when bill clinton ran for president, one of you remember he was dubbed the it. i have a new phrase. they are now the comeback couple in america. [applause] before i go any further, i got some thank you's to say. first of all, last night we had a reunion of over 250 staffers. people who work for me from 1972 through -- through this time.

great.re just it was wonderful to see so many people who had worked so hard to advance our progressive causes and take good care of the people of iowa. so often i get thanks, i get awards and that kind of stuff or the good things we have done for iowa. but it is the staff who have done the hard work and got the job done. so, today i want to give credit where it is due. all of my staffers across all of these years. thank you. [applause] i know they are all here. i don't know exactly where they all are, but they are all here. thank you very much. i want to thank scott brennan for being a great state chair of the democratic party. [applause]

wife, were both staffers of mine. it, half the of democrats in iowa have been on my staff one time or another, now that i think about it. but he is doing a great job for our stake artie. -- state party. he did so great as senator and governor, but for 40 years i have been on the agriculture committee on house and the senate. i have seen a lot of secretaries and go,ulture come they've all been good. that's all right. but i have to tell you that the one we have now has taken the department of agriculture and notched it up higher than any for ours ever done, farmers, consumers, and the kids in school who are eating better meals because of tom vill sack. [applause]

i want to thank joy for being my -- i want to thank joy, my interpreter for over 20 years. thank you, joy. [applause] she used to do a lot of interpreting for my brother, frank, for so many years. i want to thank the ground crews, who spent yesterday and so many others setting up. they have done it every year for years. don ruby, john kaiser, and don rice whack. thank you, thank you, thank you. [applause] i was down there yesterday and

they were hammering, drilling, getting all of this stuff done and jerry said to me, sweat dripping down his face -- drilling, putting names and -- putting males and things, he doing this again. i told him neither am i. [laughter] men are grillers, the ones that --lled steaks, not try them not try them. thank you. at the risk of sending just one person out, at the risk i will do it. on my staff for 20 years the one person who has been in charge of the steak fries, making sure that they get stat up and that all of this stuff is done is pam. i don't know where she is right now. where are you?

she has worked so hard on this for over 20 years. she has just worked her heart out on these. for the most important thank you of all, as we all know i'm in the home stretch of my final term for the united states senate. i have beenecades able to do some good things. like authoring and passing the americans with disabilities act. [applause]

mr. president, there is an old saying that i bet is true in oo, if you are driving down a country road and you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be sure of one thing, it didn't get there by itself. clear, i didn't do it by myself. every single one of you empowered me. that you knocked on, every dollar you raise in my campaigns, empowered me to do those things. again, i stand on the shoulders of giants. you. my fellow democrats. my fellow iowans. you put your trust in me. you work your hearts out f m